Dynamic Black Sitcom “Belle’s” Starring Keith David Airs Every Friday at 7pm on TV One

By Kenneth Miller Entertainment Editor

Published January 31, 2013

The highly anticipated half-hour African American comedy series –Belle’s, co-created and produced by legendary Emmy Award-Winning Producer Ed. Weinberger made its TV One premiere on Friday Feb. 1 at 7pm.

The all star African American cast features Keith David, Elise Neal, Tami Roman, Ella Joyce and Miguel Núñez and introduces Nadja Alaya is an emerging young talent.

The latest TV One original scripted series Belle’s, a comedy centered around widower William “Big Bill” Cooper (Keith David) who owns and operates his family’s upscale soul food restaurant.

The half-hour series is co-created by Ed. Weinberger (Taxi, The Cosby Show).

In addition to running the restaurant, Bill must deal with his two headstrong daughters: Jill (Elise Neal), the sensible hardworking manager of Belle’s who also juggles being a single mom; and Loreta (Tami Roman), a stylish, self-absorbed prima donna whose ambitions alternate between a career in the music business and finding a rich husband. And if working with his daughters isn’t challenging enough, Bill must deal with the temperamental chef at Belle’s who also happens to be his – thorn-in-the-side sister-in-law, Gladys (Ella Joyce).

Rounding out the family is cousin Maurice (Miguel Núñez), the irresponsible bartender and self-proclaimed ladies’ man who is always in hot water; and Jill’s savvy tween daughter Pam (Nadja Alaya), who seems to be the only one who has a handle on everyone and everything that happens in the family, and at Belle’s. Ultimately she could be the star of the series.

Belle’s takes a page from sitcoms of an earlier era by tackling hard hitting cultural issues through the prism of comedy and laughter.

In the premiere episode, Jill rents out the restaurant to the Crawford family to host their annual family reunion. Just as the Coopers get ready to celebrate their sudden windfall, Big Bill is tormented to discover the Crawfords’ once owned his wife’s family during slavery.

“TV One is honored to work with Ed. Weinberger and Miguel Núñez on this new comedy series,” said TV One Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Production, Toni Judkins. “Audiences love family comedies, and Belle’s has all the perfect ingredients for success, from its award-winning creators, to its amazing and versatile cast, to its relevant, witty storylines.”